Man pleads guilty to shooting Noel Campion in Limerick as part of Dundon McCarthy gang

Alison O'Riordan

A 42-year-old man who was charged with the murder of Noel Campion in Limerick City nearly 19 years ago has pleaded guilty to shooting him while participating in the Dundon McCarthy organised crime group.

Darragh Quinlivan had originally been charged with the murder of Mr Campion (35) on the northside of Limerick city on April 26th, 2007.

Quinlivan, originally from Limerick City but with an address at Ranswell Close, Bolton, Manchester in the UK, on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at or about the junction of High Road and Thomondgate in Limerick City on April 26th, 2007, when the first charge was put to him by the registrar at the Central Criminal Court.

He also pleaded guilty that on the same occasion with the purpose of enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation, being the Dundon McCarthy organised criminal group, to commit a serious offence in the State, to wit the murder of Mr Campion, did knowingly participate in the activity of that criminal organisation by shooting dead the said Mr Campion.

Mr Campion was shot dead as he was riding as a back passenger on a motorbike at Thomondgate in Limerick City - close to St Munchin's Church.

Prosecution counsel Dean Kelly SC told the court on Wednesday that the sentence hearing would take an hour and suggested January 23rd for the case to be heard.

When Mr Justice Paul McDermott queried the plea to the second charge on the indictment and said he wanted to be clear what the defendant was being sentenced for, Mr Kelly told the judge that Quinlivan was not pleading guilty to the offence of murder and that he understood the court's query.

The judge agreed with counsel that the issue would become clear to him when he heard the evidence.

Seamus Clarke SC, defending, informed the court that his client, who has a number of children, had been living in the UK and was now living in Ireland.

He said Quinlivan had complied with all the conditions of his bail to date and asked for the defendant to remain on bail for the next week-and-a-half to put his affairs in order, which was acceded to.

The judge remanded Quinlivan on continuing bail until January 23rd, when his sentence hearing will take place.

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